Life, 1887-01-06 · page 12 of 16
Life — January 6, 1887 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Life Magazine Page 440: Analysis This page contains three satirical pieces typical of early 20th-century American humor: **"At Gettysburg"** is a poem mocking tourists visiting the Civil War battlefield. It contrasts the solemnity of the historical site—where soldiers died, where famous generals like Hancock and Pickett fought—with the crass commercialism of vendors hawking "Bullets! Two fer five!" to visitors. The satire targets American materialism intruding on sacred historical ground. **"He Gave It Up"** jokes about a husband who quit drinking not from virtue but to win a bet with his friend Fawkins—wagering wine baskets that he could abstain until New Year's. The humor lies in his deception of his well-meaning wife. **The bottom cartoon series**, "What the Old Bird Didn't Know About Caloric," appears to depict a moral lesson about food/nutrition through sequential panels, though details are unclear from this reproduction. All three pieces exemplify Life's satirical style: exposing hypocrisy, greed, and human folly in American society.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
AT GETTYSBURG. OU take your stand upon the ground Where Hancock fought so well, You look with pity at the mound Which shows where Cushing fell. Your heart beats faster as you spy Old Round-Top’s lofty head Across the fields — now thick with rye But planted then with dead. A monument, close by your side, Relates some valiant deed, And o’er the place where heroes died Their deathless names you read. You mark the peaceful homes which dot The wide historic plain ;— A fascination haunts the spot Where Pickett charged in vain. Your heart is full; mayhap a tear To check in vain you strive, When nasal tones salute your ear With “ Bullets ! Two fer five!" George W. Pepper. HE GAVE IT UP. | 66 Y DEAR,” said an affectionate wife to her husband, “I am so glad that you have given up drinking. Itis a terribly degrading habit, and I am delighted that my denunciations of it have had their effect.” “Yes,” said hubby, puffing away at his Regina, “TI bet Fawkins five baskets of wine on it, that - I could leave off till New Year's day, and I’m going in to win.” HE modern society girl is an accomplished actress, but, as a rule, she is not fond of HBL long engagements. _M. . TION. 6 HE prisoner has a very smooth face,” 3.4. M. AT THE L. STATIO said little Justice Duffy the other day. “Yes, your honor,” replied the facetious policeman, “ he was ironed just before I brought him in.” Policeman : HERE, MOVE ON. Weary Citizen: 'SA—wic—sHo— Dow’ SAY A WORD—HIC—I DONE WANT TO WAKE M’—WIFE GOING UP STAIRS. WHAT THE OLD BIRD DID N’T KNOW ABOUT CALORIC. comicbooks.com